Church remembers Lumads on Indigenous People’s Sunday

At the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of July 1978, our Bishops have accepted and declared the second Sunday of October as Indigenous People’s Sunday (formerly Tribal Filipino Sunday), thereby intending to call attention to the plight of our indigenous brothers and sisters who are so often exploited and discriminated against in our society.

To date, the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, numbering about 10-15 percent (8.5-12.75 million*) of the nation’s total population (95 million) belong to more than 110 ethno-linguistic groups. (*IP Forum at the Philippine Congress in November, 2011, cited about 14 million indigenous peoples and 172 ethno-linguistic groups).

The CBCP has expressly stated in its Constitution and By-Laws that the ECIP (Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples), as with other Commissions, “shall undertake (its) specific programs… in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the dioceses which have their active Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolates.”
In this light, therefore, the ECIP, which represents the CBCP in matters related to the Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate on the level of the conference, must coordinate its work with the dioceses which have their own IPA. In a sense, the ECIP services the needs and demands of the particular Churches’ “service apostolates” to the Indigenous peoples.

Its Vision: is Integral Evangelization with the Indigenous Peoples as witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus, journeying with them in a dialogue of life and faith and celebrating the riches of each other’s values and life-events. Together, we respect human dignity, uphold the right to ancestral domain and cultural identity and work towards total human development and integrity of creation.
Objectives of the ECIP:
1. To share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the indigenous peoples in the Philippines through “a witness of life and humble service” (ECIP Mission Statement, 1984) among them;
2. To recognize the Good News in the indigenous people’s culture;
3. To give and/or to generate assistance to the indigenous in the Philippines in their concern and struggle for total liberation and the development “of all men [and women] and all of man [and woman] (Lumen Gentium).
4. To undertake specific programs to achieve the above objectives “in conjunction with, and with the approval of the dioceses which have their active Indigenous People’s Apostolate.”
(CBCP-ECIP IP Apostolate Guidebook 2013 Edition)

The Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday celebration in the Archdiocese of Davao was held at the Covered Court, Barangay Pañalum, Paquibato District, Davao City on October 13, 2013 with its Theme: “Faith and Inculturation”. The venue chosen was fitting because of the presence of Tri-people (Lumads, Kalagan Tribe [Muslims] and Christians) in the community.

The festive mood of the celebration was accompanied by the full participation of Barangay Captain Julius L. Oñasa and the Barangay Council/ Functionaries and in coordination with 69th IB headed by Sgt. Oliveros, PA , also with our invited guests who graced the occasion to give inspirational messages were City Council-IP Mandatory Representative – Hon. Datu Berino L. Mambo-o, City Councilor Hon. Marissa Salvador-Abella – Vice Chairperson, Committee on Indigenous Peoples, Mrs. Mawalik Vina M. Bugtay – ECIP (Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Commission) National Education Committee Staff.
The events that took place during the whole day affair was formally opened with the Lumad Ritual, Muslim Prayer and Christian Prayer (Veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Enthronement of the Holy Bible) led by Fr. Florencio “Jhun” A. Acedo, Jr., DCD – IPA Director-Archdiocese of Davao and IPA Staff, followed by the singing of the National Anthem led by Mrs. Julieta N. Oñasa, welcoming spirit addressed by the Barangay Captain Julius L. Oñasa and orientation/rationale by Jose Maria Glenn B. Olea – IPA Coordinator, then inspirational messages from our honorable guests, intermissions by the different communities with their cultural presentations of songs and dances.

After lunch break, cultural presentations led by APaKO (Ata Paquibato Kalayag Organization) and PAGLAUM (Programs, Advocacies and Governance for Lumad Association of Um) Scholars and different Lumad inspired parlor games for adults and children made the celebration merrier and full of laughter and happiness. The EV2033 also led the Praise and Worship songs to put in prayer mood the participants for the Eucharistic celebration.

The IP Sunday celebration was culminated at 3:00p.m. with the Holy Mass by the main celebrant, Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D. – Archbishop of Davao. The gathering and eventful occasion was successful because of the support given by the City Government led by Hon. City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Staff, all Priests of the Archdiocese of Davao, Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) San Pedro College, University of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Cross College of Calinan, Holy Cross College of St. Peter-Toril, Our Lady of Fatima Academy, Blessed John Paul College of Davao and Religious Congregations of M.A. (Missionaries of the Assumption), F.I. (Hijas de Jesus Sisters), (RVM) Religious of the Virgin Mary Sisters, (O.P.)Dominican Sisters, Tabourine (Brothers of the Holy Family), and all the Donors, Benefactors and Friends of the Lumads – KasaLu (Katabang sa Lumad). We offer our prayers and heartfelt thanksgiving for your unwavering support for love of the Indigenous peoples. (jmglenn48@yahoo.com)